ganed 50 pounds from 6 injections over 2 ys.Was elergic to one kind got sik from that major all over joint pain.Hot flashes bad!still have back pain but worse!

Has anyone been told they have a "Bad Disc"
sounds fishy to me...i wonder (if it is true) if it is from all the injections i have had. i have had 5-6 in a 4 year period

I had a lot of side effects from my injection. My injection was on a Thursday I had a headache the next morning, saturday the pain was absolutely awful, I could barely walk. Saturday night my skin hurt, I felt like I had a bruise on my entire body. I woke up Sunday morning sick to my stomach and had a fever all day, Sunday night I was so dizzy and lightheaded I almost passed out in the shower, everytime I stood up my vision started to get black around the edges, then lots of pimples the week after. Considering my pain only got worse and stayed worse after the injection it definitley was not worth all the side effects!

If you have gained weight after a series of injections please see your GP and ask for a fasting blood glucose test, i.e. diabetes screen. The steroids can and will drive up your blood sugar levels and can induce type 2 diabetes.

If you have diabetes, steriod injections will make your blood sugar goes sky high. I always get humalog insulin refilled before my injections, because the metformin (diabetic pills) won't work.

Pepper

I had no side effects except 2 out 4 injections didn't work. Waste of money because I was sedated for the first three.

this describes exactly what happened - 2 weeks later after injection my stomache hung over jeans - my legs did not even let some of jeans get up to the being fastened stage - my boobs grew enourmous! all very depressing for us ladies - does anyone know if it all goes back down to what you were or do I need to take another drug to counter act?

gee, how many or how much steroids are you folks getting at a time??? Be very careful about the amount you have as it is just a bandaid and destroys tissue.

Christine, I have the spondy too as well as a genetic defect causing spine instability. What I find real helpful is pool therapy where you hang with weight on you ankles and floaters around arms to stretch the spine and hopefully relieve some of the compression. you can also workout in pool if too painful to do on land. I also made my physical therapist do it on a table where this thing is wrapped around the waist and by means of a pulley, it pulls on the spine to stretch. The first time it felt so good I made him let me do 2 rounds instead of just the initial 10 mins. He said some people feel a little sore after but I felt terrific. I'm doing it twice a week and don't need the epidurals anymore altho I do need surgery regardless.

yes, that is thrue I have also had 2 of the epidurals in the past two weeks and notest that I my stomack locks like a ballon, I have ganed about 3 ponds and i get tiered fast. However, doring 2 years I gaind 6 poinds after 5 of epidurals.

Im also very concern and worried.

ESI's...........but not only on a pharm. sites.Do extensive research and you will find some side effects that your Dr won't tell you about.

I've asked my Dr-who I like and respect very much-but he left out some important details about ESI's,that I knew to be true.After a lot of research,I was pretty disappointed with my Drs lack of complete honesty.

I am hypothyroid as well,so it's not as if I'm looking for something to blame my weight gain on..besides which,I've never had a problem taking responsibility for my own imperfections-or my love of ice cream..but these ESI's can cause weight gain in some people,and other,more harmful side effects.

I am so annoyed - I taken all advice to doc. and told of weight gain and this site etc. the need for tests etc. to get to understand why I have balloned up - followed your ideas in various posts about what it maybe that needs testing - she poo pooed me - said weight gain impossible after one injection - said it is all in my mind! are these big boobs in my mind! is this big tyre round my stomache in my mind - I am now thinking is it me??? has anyone experienced the same!!

When you start to break down what is in the ESI injection, some of the rationale regarding weight gain can be understood. Why doctors do not say this , I am not sure.

1- Predisone used to reduce some inflammation uses a synthetic cortisone drug that when convert into your live is basically a steroid.

2- ESI' inject Cortisone, a steroid.

One of the side effects of steroids is weight gain.
I have taken predisone many times over the years.
Sometimes to help reduce some inflammation and other times to help when I get poison ivy. Every time I do use predisone for a couple of days, I get a bloated feel and look. For me, my face seems to swell up. Couple of days later, its back to normal.

So in 'theory' any weight gain associated with having ESI's should disappear after a period of time.

Lets hope that is true. I know with Lyrica or Neurontin any weight gain I had was so hard to get rid off

its so crazy that they keep telling me no no no - as you say when you break it down it is all very likely and you dont need to be a consultant to work it out!

diva~With only one injection I would think that any weight gain or swelling would begin to diminish after two weeks.Of course,everyone is different,as we always remind one another here,and I'm not a medical professional by any stretch of the imagination-lol.

It's possible you could have had some type of an allergic reaction.Who knows,I've read about some pretty severe reactions in some people..so,you never know.How are you doing now?

Hi PapaRon,

I had read about the weight gain with lyrica and neurontin so I kept refusing to take. That said, I know a guy who took lyrica for back pain and had no weight gain at all.

I once tried to line up these drugs to see what the related chemistry was creating the weight gain, but I lost it when my comp tanked. It was too much work to try and reconstruct.

ETA: And NO, godiva it is NOT all in your head and you are NOT alone in your experience by a long shot!

I have been having steroid injections since last Sept (08). I thought i was having early menopause symptoms! Hot flashes at night, low grade fevers, muscle pain, insomnia and bad headaches.
I have a herniated disk at the L5/S1 which i strongly believe happened during an auto accident. The pain is so severe i wake in the middle of the night scream'n out in pain. It freaks my poor kitties right out! Anyway, so i have been willing to have anything done to me to make the pain stop. Sometimes the injections help & sometimes they don't at all and other times they make the pain worse. It's a catch 22! I never thought about side effects. I too seem to be gaining weight. Though i thought it was due only to being a couch surfer. I didn't stop to think about how the steroids are affecting me as a whole.
I'm told my disc isn't herniated enough to need a surgical proceedure. Not that i know many people who have had success in that area.
I feel so alone and helpless. I want my life back! I painted houses for over 20 yrs and now feeding the cats is a major chore!
Well, thanx for being here & letting me vent! I pray someday we'll all be pain free! And an answer will ne found for us! Take care! ICpain70

I have never noticed a gain in weight although I have heard from others for fun to go weigh in after so who knows? I have experienced intense burning before after but I think this may be due to hitting a nerve?

Had 2 seperate attempts
1 with 2 injection sites

Hi everyone,

I have had PT, Epidurals and many different types of injections for my back over the past almost 7 years. My problem is mainly at L-4, or at least the injections have given some relief to that area and not much in the other 2 (L3-4, L5-S1). I just started up with injections again after a year hiatus (because of finding a new PM dr. due to my other dr. relocating). I am having Selective Nerve Root injections at L-4 since L5-S1 didn't give me much relief at all.

Have any of you had to complete a pain diary before you return in 2 weeks? Does anyone else find it diffcult to explain your pain levels? I have the pictures of the pain level faces, you know the one that shows what your pain levels indicate from between 1 and 10, however, I still have a problem completing the diary. I'm sure it sounds crazy, but my Dr. said he wants to see a "0" pain level or he doesn't see that I am improving and the injections are helping. Last time I completed the form at my best relief being a "3" which I thought was good considering the pain I was in before the injection, then of course, as the weeks went by, I was back where I started.

He did a bi-lateral SNRI and my right side hurt so bad, so this last time, he just did the left side and I have gotten a little relief, but I still have to get the ice out after doing laundry, running errands or the sweeper, so that is why I say it makes it difficult, at least for me to complete the diary. And, this time, my bad side (left) feels better than the right side, which has been giving me so much pain just walking thru the grocery store.

Anyone have any ideas on how to help me really describe the pain according to those pain charts?? Or why my good side (right) is hurting so much. I'm not good at telling them if I am at pain level 6, 7 or 8 when I am hurting so bad before the injections. I have had facet injections which didn't do much at all. My pain management dr. said I have an impingement that keeps pinches me (which is the way it feels also), I have a small bulge at L3-4 and L4-5 plus tears at both levels. He doesn't think a surgeon would want to do surgery because of my MRI indicating there are many small problems, but nothing significant enough to be causing me this much pain. He knows I'm in pain however and seems to really care about me and I feel he does want to make me feel better (he is a PM dr.)

Like many of you, I also have put on more pounds, feel bloated and my boobs have gotten bigger, but, we women know that is the first place you eiher lose or gain weight (lol) I take a fluid pill every day, but I still feel bloated. I have an appt. with my PCP next month and will let her know what is going on again. She did the fasting test for diabetes about 6 months ago and everything looked okay. Diabetes does run in my family. I have always weighed about 112 and now I weight 140. I have been taking Neurontin for 7 years, but the weight gain from the medication is nothing like the injections seemed to be causing.

I'm very active so it isn't because I'm just lying around, in fact, I've been told I am probably overdoing things. I have been watching our 5 year old grandson and 9 month old granddaughter some, but I love having them with me. Distraction has always been good for me, but then I pay for everything I do later.

I apologize for the long post, but trying to make sure I don't leave anything out.

Thanks so much!
Sandy

Hi everyone

Guys this one may not be for you!

Has anyone has their menstrual cycle totally mucked up by an ESI? I had a lumbar ESI about a month ago and i have now been having my period for around 2.5 weeks!!! I also was very very irritable, like PMS x100 and i have also had these weird kind of pimples come up on my chest which i don't usually get. My p's usually last no more than 5 days! I'm also feeling really bloated too. Have booked a Dr's appointment for Monday but just wanted to hear if anyone knew if this was a common side effect or had suffered similar?

I have also had 2 injections in the last few weeks, and have an inner tube around my stomach. I cannot button my pants, and feel really bloated. When I called the doctors office to ask if this was a side effect, the nurse told me the average person gains 30 pounds from these injections. I'm only 5'2" and 115 pounds to start with. If I gain this much I won't be able to bend over. Also not sure why they don't tell you this in advance. I had someone tell me it's really all water gain, and a diuretic will fix the problem. However, after going through all this, if I take the diuretic, do I eliminate any potential benefits from the steroids for the pain?
Does anyone have any experience with this?
FYI - first injection did not really do anything for pain. The second helped about 50% after the first 10 days or so. I was scheduled for a third (final) set, but have cancelled until I better understand all this.

In the meantime, I have discovered the TENS unit. The higher end units provide both nerve & muscle stimulation. Better relief for the pain than injections so far.

Long story short, i've been reading thru here quite a bit. Just had a facet injection L5-S1 and I thought I was the only one having major hot flashes,more headaches and pain in joints I didn't have before. I've had quite a few epidurals in the past and never had a reaction to any of them & they did help.

The facet injection helped; but all these side effects; I'm not sure they are worth it. I did have maybe 8 days since the injection that I can honestly say were great & I didn't know what to do with myself after all these years, but just when I think I'm fine, the headaches, hot flashes start up again. I'm 63 - give me a break. I don't have hot flashes anymore.

Guess I'm just relieved to hear someone else has experienced the same thing.

Question: do you have this every time you have a facet injection? How long did your side effects last.

I thought the facet joint injection might have set off the osteo in the spine. The injection was for bulging L5-S1.

It's been 3 1/2 weeks and I think the pain is starting to return? How long do these last?

Dee

Dee

I had a leaky bladder as the PM Dr. said I may have and couldn't believe when it happened when I awakened from sleep a couple of times! As for Dee I had the facet joint injections and had relief after the first set and no side effects after. With Lyrica I gained 30 lbs. and high blood pressure. I'm off lyrica now and just take Cymbalta which seems to help more. I'm down 35 lbs. in a few months off the Lyrica and my blood pressure is normal now and stopped taking blood pressure pills. It's hard to say the side effects of the injections as with the medications there's also side effects. I also experienced hot flashes and tiredness. All I know is the steroids weaken your bones but you need to have treatment or have the pain. I have Degenerative Disc Disease now that wasn't seen in my first MRI but maybe because of the facet joint inflammation and herniated disc it wasn't clearly seen. I had 5 ESI's in an 8 month period and I wouldn't get anymore again. I hope you're doing better now. Charry

Here's an odd side effect.. I had an ESI performed due to left leg numbness and radicular pain in both my back and left leg.

After the injection, my left leg felt better (for a whole 3 days)

But, before I even left the facility, my right leg (which was totally fine), now felt just like my left leg used to (tingly and painful).

Before my injections, only my left leg would get painful with pins and needles. After, both legs get painful with pins and needles (usually alternating at random)

I've had hot flushes from mine, but put it down to other things never associating them with the facet joint injections. I've also put on weight, but put that down to cymbalta / gabapentin and lying down more, for fear of starting up the pain again.

I wonder whether anyone gets side-effects from neurotomy injections ie rhizotomy, radiofrequency ablation...... I'm having them soon and am petrified about the pain and side-effects!

To Deeross: my facet injections worked too! I had no pain for exactly 5 and a half weeks, then it returned with a vengeance.

Hey there - personally I gained about 30 lbs over the first year after surgery from epidurals and oral steroids. Like you no doctor warned me that I could have weight gain. I found myself eating all of the time, got the moonface, back acne and worst of all steroids psychosis! I was paranoid,could not sleep, nightmares, and one time I hallucinated. My doctors kept downplaying everything I said! I have a therapist and found calumny to help calm me after and during injections. I do get benefit from burning nerve leg pain but they do not help my back. My advice is too believe in yourself and insist that your doc takes you seriously. So much of my depression came from not being validated, feeling fat, and just plain suffering. I took a one year break from shots and increased meds to give my body and mind a break focusing on work. Good luck and know you are NOT alone or crazy.

Hey there - personally I gained about 30 lbs over the first year after surgery from epidurals and oral steroids. Like you no doctor warned me that I could have weight gain. I found myself eating all of the time, got the moonface, back acne and worst of all steroids psychosis! I was paranoid,could not sleep, nightmares, and one time I hallucinated. My doctors kept downplaying everything I said! I have a therapist and found calumny to help calm me after and during injections. I do get benefit from burning nerve leg pain but they do not help my back. My advice is too believe in yourself and insist that your doc takes you seriously. So much of my depression came from not being validated, feeling fat, and just plain suffering. I took a one year break from shots and increased meds to give my body and mind a break focusing on work. Good luck and know you are NOT alone or crazy.

my injections on 30th Nov 2009,bad headaches,night sweats,bad mood swings,cramps in legs and feet.
my period arrived on time, great no prob,but it lasted 2 weeks, normally 3-5 days,had period every 2 weeks since lasting up to 2 weeks. how long will this carry on for ? so fed up of it. oh and yes i have the spare tyre around my tummy

I really don't know what to think about these nerve block injections. I had my first one done 1 1/2 weeks ago and I sweat like crazy. I can see why from previous posts in this thread. After my first nerve block, I'm seriously thinking of having the discogram done. I'm a "cash" patient so they can't say insurance will not let them do it. But anyhow, being a 37 year old male, I'm not having any "bloating" issues. LOL. I'm a joker so women, don't take that wrong. I was beginning to think something else was wrong with me. I'm referring to the sweating all the time. I'm scheduled for another 2 injections starting Feb. 18th. The staff at the clinic where I had the first procedure done, spoke of having to wait 2 weeks after injection to have another done. This is to give the medication time to work and "possibly" repair the damaged/inflamed nerves. Listening to my body and listening to the staff(clinic), I have to say I'm not experiencing any nerve pain relief from the first injection. I did to start with, but seemed to wear off after several days. The sweating is still working on me though. I can deal with that. I'm just ready to get all this over with and forget about it like most here. Thanks for listening to me jack my jaws. Any info. on bypassing the nerve blocks and starting discogram(s) would be obliged.

I really don't know what to think about these nerve block injections. I had my first one done 1 1/2 weeks ago and I sweat like crazy. I can see why from previous posts in this thread. After my first nerve block, I'm seriously thinking of having the discogram done. I'm a "cash" patient so they can't say insurance will not let them do it. But anyhow, being a 37 year old male, I'm not having any "bloating" issues. LOL. I'm a joker so women, don't take that wrong. I was beginning to think something else was wrong with me. I'm referring to the sweating all the time. I'm scheduled for another 2 injections starting Feb. 18th. The staff at the clinic where I had the first procedure done, spoke of having to wait 2 weeks after injection to have another done. This is to give the medication time to work and "possibly" repair the damaged/inflamed nerves. Listening to my body and listening to the staff(clinic), I have to say I'm not experiencing any nerve pain relief from the first injection. I did to start with, but seemed to wear off after several days. The sweating is still working on me though. I can deal with that. I'm just ready to get all this over with and forget about it like most here. Thanks for listening to me jack my jaws. Any info. on bypassing the nerve blocks and starting discogram(s) would be obliged.

I have had more then my share of these since 2004. Are they helpful no and sometimes for a very short period. My conditions have steadily worsened, and ended up in surgery that they were trying to prevent anyway. I have gained 40lbs, it doesnt matter that I eat well or exercise regularly, but it helps to keep a consistant weight, I now don't lose or gain weight. Though Im sure that will change because Im back in the injection stage. I since my accident the first and second mri's showed no tumors or growths, the last three have, though not cancerous I have developed Travol Cyst and a Pineal Cyst. Am I thinking the injections caused them, o heck ya. With each injection about two weeks later the pain is back and worse. Im overly tired for the first week after, I break out badly during this time. I have experienced the swelling as well. Other then this I am in perfect health, all my blood levels..total check up all normal. So there is no other reason for the tumors, swelling and etc. I think they should stop trying to treat people with these injections. We dont know what the long terms effects will be and neither do they.

i had esi's for approximately 18 months, & have stopped, despite my doctor wanting to continue the injections (it's one of his specialties).

i began getting hot flashes that included throwing up, dizzyness & unsteadiness. at that point, & after doing more research, i took a "break" from the esi's. not only did the hotflashes stop, but the horrible pain in my joints also disappeared. i'd been undergoing blood tests to find out why my joints ached so badly--turns out, the pain was caused by the esi's.

i also stopped menstruating completely about 8 months ago, & i finally got my period back last month.

i found the first few esi's helped, but as time went on i got less pain relief & more side-effects. it's a personal choice, obviously, but i wouldn't recommend them, & certainly not for the kind of long-term program my doctor had me on. no way. the joint pain was as bad as my back pain for the longest time--i remember writing about it on these forums & trying to research what the cause could be. now i know.

and even when i asked repeatedly, my doctor minimized the side-effects of the injections, & scoffed when i suggested my period had stopped as a result of the esi's.

Johnny, after my ESI with Kenelog, i went on to have a continuous period for 8 weeks non stop. Co-incided with my ESI injection and i suspected it was that immediately as never had any menstrual problems prior to it. Went to see a gyny and turns out i had an ovarian cyst. I also had bad mood swings and broke out in weird red spots on my chest. Spots cleared up, cyst went away and bleeding stopped after a couple of months. Gyny looked into a link between the corisone and ovarian cysts and found that yes there was a link - has been found in animals apparently!. He wrote to my Neurosurgeon to let him know. He did say that should i need another that i could have it but to have it in the second half of my cycle (or something like that, i don't have the letter with me). Not sure i am keen though and will avoid it unless it becomes totally necessary as seems like swapping one problem for another.

Upshot is, there is a definite link between the shots and menstrual problems even if your doctor is not aware of them. You only have to google Kenelog to read loads of similar stories.

i've been having steriod injections in my lower back for the last 3 months. They work for like 2 days and then im back to popping hydro's all day. Im wondering if any one has experienced bladder infection symptoms after having an injection, seems like after i have one it hurts to urinate. Also feels like im very moody, my breast hurt, can't sleep, restless, light periods, and weight gain.....boo

Hi everyone was so happy to read this forum,as wasnt told that epidurals could cause the side effects Im getting.
I was being sick straight after and that sicky feeling hasnt gone and its been 2 months. Wasnt due a period and came on as soon as Id had the injection and continued to bleed heavily for 2 weeks stopped for a week then came on again and now I dont know when im due which I have never experienced,always regular as clockwork.The headaches and feeling like Im either going to be sick or pass out are vile.
I read one of the links explaining ovarian cyst and a link being found between that and the steriod and I wonder if thats me as only the week before I had ny caudal I had a scan which revealed ovarian cyst and polyps, so after reading this,im going back and telling the consultant to get on here himself !! thanx guys im not havin any more but that means disk surgery ps does your periods go back normal ever or does it throw you into some sort of menapause ?

I have has so many ESI through the years that I have now been told by my PCP never again. My skin has become very thin and I bruise horribly. Hot flashes, weight gain, round face and I have not had a period for a year. Way too many side effects for something that is only a short term fix for me
Susan

I have had 2 SI injections and 2 epidural injections into my spine, and I to have had the hot flashes, flushing of my face all the time,severe headaches that turns into migraines and I am down for days at a time,unbelievable heartburn and acid reflux which I have never had before. Peroids that last 15 to 20 days, normal is 4 days for me. Lower back still hurts and now I always hurt from hips down. I have sleepless nights with the sweats. And I get sick on a drop of a dime now.

I am so happy to hear that I am not the only person that has these issues because my doctors look at me like they have never heard of such things.

I am so glad I found this site... i have had 4 injections in 5 weeks and am due to go back next Tuesday for a 5th.. I have been spotting for 11 days and am calling the doctor's office tomorrow to check to see if this was something to be concerned about.. I know that is a lot of steroids in the body in that amount of time. I had originally been told that i would only have 3 and if not better off to a surgeon but since it is L5/S1 and we have determined that the S1 is causing the most pain he is able to do more since 2 of my shots were in that location. I have had hot flashes... and am horribly moody like I have been PMS'ing for 2 weeks now. I have had relief from the injections though and most times I am in bearable pain as long as I don't do too much sitting. I just had a business trip though and drove 7 hours in 2 days... not smart and paying for it tonight. I sure hope there is some permanent relief in the future for me.

I am so glad I found this site... i have had 4 injections in 5 weeks and am due to go back next Tuesday for a 5th.. I have been spotting for 11 days and am calling the doctor's office tomorrow to check to see if this was something to be concerned about.. I know that is a lot of steroids in the body in that amount of time. I had originally been told that i would only have 3 and if not better off to a surgeon but since it is L5/S1 and we have determined that the S1 is causing the most pain he is able to do more since 2 of my shots were in that location. I have had hot flashes... and am horribly moody like I have been PMS'ing for 2 weeks now. I have had relief from the injections though and most times I am in bearable pain as long as I don't do too much sitting. I just had a business trip though and drove 7 hours in 2 days... not smart and paying for it tonight. I sure hope there is some permanent relief in the future for me.

Hello my fellow sufferers',

I hope this finds you as well as can be I know every day is a struggle. I want to share with you both all the many side effects I endure from the steroids, but also how to cope, as well as some good news in my opinion. I'm not a doctor but I am a patient who has had about:

50 epidurals in the last 6 years - about 15-20 of what I call the deep and nasty shots under a fluroscope where they pinpoint these nerves and it hurts like hell - about 25 or so trigger shots and I could be wrong about exact numbers guys but you get the point.

I endured the awful deep epidurals as I was told by my doctor that there is medication i that cocktail designed to get rid of my scar tissue which in my case is a big deal and major source of pain. I started with pain in both legs all the way to the feet and not the nerve pain meds like neurontin or anything except lidocaine pathches worked on it, but after years of epidurals the scar tissue area does present less pain about 20% - 25% less pain then I felt 6 years ago post op.After I get shots for the next 3-4 months I am realitivly well not pain free bt pain tolerable let's call it . I highly reccomend lidocaine pacthes for anyone with that electric pain in their legs or arms they work wonders for me!

I started getting triiger shots instead of the deep painful epidurals that are in the facet or in the muscluature and dont hurt nearly as bad about 20% as pain ful as the deep shots.

I STOPPED THE DEEP EPIDURALS AFTER TIME DUE TO SIDE EFFECTS!

Here is a list of what I can personally attest to experiencing;

Migraines - I didnt know about this but now that i DO I sleep sitting up for at least the first 24 hours. This prevents the medications from leaking into your spinal colum and therefore brain. It helps tremendously but you must be RELGIOUS about sitting up - use pillows and be patient as I am sure you are "hyper" after your shoyts

Mania - I am not sure this is the right term, but I cannot sleep after shots sometimes right away and the off and on for a few weeks. I am hyper active and scattered

Depression - this crash comes after the hyper stage and can vary to very serious to moodiness

Aggression - this CAN happen and is more commen for guys I think but I watch myself carefully after shots

Weight gain - I counteract this witha medication known for wieht loss called topomax which is a mood stabilizer I find this imperative since my injury it hhelps keep me on level with all of these awful side eeffects, if you find yourself crying all of the time check out a mood stabilizer if an antidepressant isnt cutting it.

Skin "thinness" my skin gets paper thin and for us girls dont use a glycolic "renewal cream" just keep it simple for about 6 weeks and thats when everything subsides for me

Weakened immune system - I am pretty young - under 40 and so it does not present a huge problem bbut I have had a case or few of the shingles after my shots. I'm extra careful if traveling or around sick people to take b vitamins and I am really into D3 a new vitamin that creates the same effect as sunlight which I need in the winter

I DONT MEAN TO BE GROSS OR UPSET ANYONE - but for me, no one warned me or validated these many unsetteling side effects. But with years of practice I have learned how to cope and deal with the situaton because the benefoit I get from shots makes the differnece from being able to work or not if I didnt get them.

Some tips:

If you get bad emotionl effects you can request a "diabetic does" for less intense negative feelings overall ( people with bipolar and some even without experience suicial tendancies or idiation during the weeks following the medication) from your doctor. You may get a bit less relief but overall remain more stable.

I would love to know if other people experience any of these symptoms or others because I think doctors do not pay attention to some of the bad things we experience on these steriods in order to warn new patients.

"Five minutes at a time guys" that was my mantra for a few years there and still can be on a tough day but I encourage all of you out there to stay strong and ask for help and take comfort in the fact that these steroid shots can produce some level of long term (permanent partial loss of pain in my case) relief and that's a blessing. Good luck!

* please discuss anything I've said with your physicians for a professional opinion I am only a fellow patientbut I hope this is helpful to someone out there
Colby

Google Arachnoiditis Depo Medrol and do some research. You can also read my post when it clears about these injections. These chemicals have warning labels that say " not for intrathecal use" , which means via the spine.they are TOXIC to the body.

Well I had my 5th injection last Tuesday and can say that I have a lot of relief. I still have some pain but it is definitely bearable now so that is a blessing. I hope it is long lasting.. I am still having some side effects and wonder how long I will have to put up with it... I am still spotting each day and it is day 23. I was not told of any possible side effects, guess it is my fault for not asking though.

Here is looking forward to some good days ahead!

After my first set of cortiosone injections I had the hiccup for 48 hours straight and no remedy worked to get rid of them. I also broke out pretty bad on my neck. After 3 injections, my foot still goes numb on and off and I experience leg pain througout the day. For those that are able to exercise, please do so. It will help you maintain a stay in better shape bc weight gain might only cause more back pain. Good luck everyone.

I everyone! I too like all of u have been getting SI steroid inj.s for about 6 yrs now for pain from a painful bone spur on my hip joint, and the L-5 nerve runs through that joint and as the Dr. describe's it as shars of glass grinding on the nerve when I walk! so adds up to pure pain! I have so many side effects...have gained 60 pds and can't lose it no way( they did't tell me this either!) have a vitiman D defeceny having to take 50,000 units a week!...skin is very thin, bruise very easy, bloating and swelling in mid area! constant UTI's Depression,sleeplessness.. I am taking hydro. meds but considering stopping the inj.s and taking stronger pain meds. my neurologist and my family Dr. both has advised me to stop the steroid inj.s too! Sometimes I get relief from the inj. but ts short lived, sometimes not.I weighed the odds and think its not worth the side effects! Thanks to all of u and seeing that there others that having same problems! .thanks for listening to me! u sure helped me! Thanks and God Bless everyone!